Cameroon probe match-fixing claims

Cameroon officials will investigate claims from a German magazine that seven players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup.

Cameroon's football federation (FECAFOOT) has announced in a press release that it will investigate allegations of match fixing by its players at the World Cup finals.

The FECAFOOT ethics committee will probe allegations of fraud in Cameroon's three Group A matches, particularly the 4-0 defeat to Croatia on June 18 in Manaus.

Cameroon headed home from the World Cup after Group A losses to Brazil and Mexico, as well as Croatia. They finished last in the group.

The FECAFOOT statement read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon 2014 FIFA World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with FIFA Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation.

"We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by FIFA in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee, to further investigate these accusations.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto, left, walks off as Croatian players celebrate during their 4-0 win over Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup.

"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.

"In the meantime we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption."

The statement went on to say that in 55 years of existence, FECAFOOT has never been sanctioned for, involved in or even linked to match fixing or any fraud of any kind.

The allegations came from convicted fraudster Wilson Raj Perumal, who had correctly predicted the 4-0 result and that a player would be sent off, in a discussion with German magazine Der Spiegel.

Cameroon and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song was sent off before half-time for elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic, while the game was also marred by an incident deep into the second half as Benoit Assou-Ekotto looked like he tried to head-butt teammate Benjamin Moukandjo.

FECAFOOT subsequently launched an investigation into the incident but has not yet reported the outcome.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed he has been informed of allegations.

He told Press Association Sport in Rio de Janeiro: "Yes, I have been told about this, but let them do their work on this investigation."

Chris Eaton, FIFA's former security chief who is now director of Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), said if proved that Perumal's prediction was made before the match it would have to be treated "extremely seriously."

Eaton said: "The ICSS is aware of the allegation first reported by Der Spiegel that Wilson Raj Perumal, a well-known and convicted match fixer, apparently accurately predicted the outcome of a specific match result and foul outcome for a game at the FIFA World Cup, using a Facebook account.

"If it is confirmed that the advice from Perumal was made before the match and is accurate to the overall result and red card, then this allegation will no doubt be treated extremely seriously by football, governments and beyond."

Eaton added, however, that Perumal had made other predictions which had not materialised and that the regulated sport betting industry had not reported suspicious betting on the match.

He said: "I understand that he has made other 'predictions' during this competition that have not proved accurate."

Ghana and Nigeria, who have also exited the tournament, were involved in disputes over money in Brazil in what has been a troubled World Cup for African nations.

Ghana sent two players home -- Sulley Muntari for hitting out at an official and Kevin-Prince Boateng for allegedly swearing at his coach.